The Daily Populous Sunday May 5th, 2024 night edition
Authored by thedeepdive.ca and submitted by smallcapsteve

The first known case of a human contracting H5N1 from a mammal was recently reported in Texas, where a dairy farm worker suffered “very mild” symptoms including bleeding in the eyes due to the infection.

While this appears to be an isolated incident so far, the CDC has stressed that the virus is not a new strain and that they have been preparing for avian flu outbreaks for decades. However, the rapid spread of H5N1 among cattle herds, as well as in other U.S. mammals like farm cats and poultry, has heightened concerns about the potential for the virus to adapt and pose a greater threat to human health.

Tens of millions of chickens have already died or been culled to prevent the virus from spreading further. The detection of H5N1 in cattle is a concerning development, as cows have not been previously known to be susceptible to influenza A viruses. This raises the possibility that the virus could adapt to better infect and transmit between mammals, potentially bringing the world closer to a bird flu pandemic.

Experts are particularly worried about the virus potentially spreading to pigs, which are known “mixing vessels” that can allow genetic reassortment between avian and human flu strains.

While the risk to the general public remains low, health officials are taking the situation seriously. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stressed that this is not a new strain of the virus, and that they have been preparing for avian flu outbreaks for decades.

However, the detection of H5N1 in dairy cows and the first known case of a human contracting the virus from a mammal have heightened concerns about the virus’s potential to adapt and spread.

Information for this story was found via the CDC, and the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.